EXTRA police patrols have been taking place in a Burnley neighbourhood after a string of attempted break-ins.

People living in Harle Syke have been urged to pay more attention to home security after four thwarted burglaries in the Lane Bottom area in January.

The intruders were each spotted by householders before they could steal anything, according to police.

But neighbours in outlying areas of Burnley, such as Harle Syke and Briercliffe, are being warned to be on their guard.

PC Fran Fleming, community beat manager for the area, said: “Fortunately, the offenders were all disturbed by members of the public.

“However, we cannot stress enough the importance of lock-ing the doors of your property, including your home, car, garage and shed.”

Householders who have left open front doors, or shed doors, have been given warnings by police community support officers.

Neighbours in nearby Worsthorne have taken safety into their own hands with the launch of a new Neighbourhood Watch scheme.

The theft of a number of high-powered cars has resulted in residents in the Barnfield Avenue area taking action.

Similar alerts have been given to residents in the Burnley Road area of Cliviger, after an attempted burglary at St John’s CE Primary School.

Neighbourhood police are ask-ing anyone who spots anything suspicious, in any of the areas, to call the force’s new non-emergency number, which is 101.